Player Ratings: Scotland
OPINION: Scotland set-up a qualification decider with Ireland in Paris next Saturday after crushing Romania in Lille.
Despite making 13 changes from the team that beat Tonga a week ago, Gregor Townsend’s side brushed aside the Romanians.
Darcy Graham led the way with four tries, while there were excellent performances from Cameron Redpath, Ben Healy and Hamish Watson in 12-try rout.
All roads now lead to Paris where Scotland will have to topple Andy Farrell’s side if they are to make the last eight.
15. Ollie Smith – 7
The Glasgow man showed great intelligence for his try after a searing counter-attack. Should have scored on the half-hour from Price’s wide pass.
14. Darcy Graham – 8.5
Set the tone with a first-half hat-trick and more than 240m made with ball in hand. The Edinburgh wing also made the telling incision for Price to score, then rounded off a superb display with his fourth late on.
13. Chris Harris – 7
Made good inroads in the edge in attack – including al ovely break for Graham’s third try, and an easy finish for his own scoe. Also won an excellent turnover penalty when Tomane made decent inroads into the Scotland 22.
12. Cam Redpath – 7.5
Showed good strength to regularly beat would-be tacklers. Also made an excellent carry before offloading to Watson for the opener.
11. Kyle Steyn – 7
Was off his wing looking for work regularly in the first half, but was quieter after the break.
10. Ben Healy – 8
Got Scotland’s attack working and deserved his try, albeit the Romanian resistance was scarce. Flawless too from the tee, the only blots to his card were two early missed kicks to touch.
9. Ali Price – 6.5
A solid if unspectacular outing that is unlikely to unseat White or Horne in the 23 to face Ireland. Crossed for his fifth international try in the first half.
1. Jamie Bhatti – 6.5
Scrummaged well, and was prominent in the build-up to the first try, but dropped two really simple passes. Twice denied a maiden Test try.
2. Ewan Ashman – 6.5
Lost the ball forward with the line at his mercy moments after being denied by Rosu’s indiscipline. A dodgy first lineout aside, the set-piece functioned well.
3. Javan Sebastian – 7
The big man put himself about on his first Scotland start. Carried well and was largely dominant at the scrum. He ought to have passed when Scotland had an early overlap and the tighthead fancied a rumble.
4. Sam Skinner – 7
His footballing skills in the loose were to the fore, while he played his part in a dominant forward effort. Could’ve done better from Graham’s early break.
5. Grant Gilchrist – 7
Worked hard to allow others to shine, and managed the lineout well. Might be one of those most unlucky if he misses out against Ireland.
6. Luke Crosbie – 6.5
Some decent early carrying put Scotland on the front foot, but he was quieter than his back-row pals.
7. Hamish Watson – 8
Looked like a man on a mission on his first appearance at this World Cup. Some savage carrying sat down more than one Romanian defender, and a lovely offload put Graham over for his first try.
8. Matt Fagerson – 7.5
Hit a lovely line to waltz between two tired Romanian defenders and score his third Test try on half-time. Another good break just before the hour where he might have found Horne on his inside.
Replacements
16. Johnny Matthews – 6.5
Ended a whirlwind couple of weeks with his international debut, and a maiden Test try. Then moments later threw a sublime offload for Darge’s try.
17. Rory Sutherland – 5
Quiet. Most notable involvement was the concession of a penalty just after Scotland had relieved pressure, and a couple of nice tip.
18. WP Nel – 6
Lost possession with his first involvement, but put his shoulder in defensively to good effect late on.
19. Scott Cummings – 6.5
Replaced skipper Gilchrist for the final quarter, and made a decent defensive intervention as Romania threatened to score.
20. Rory Darge – 6
Competed at the breakdown well after replacing Watson, then ran a good support line to score the 11th try of the evening.
21. George Horne – 7
As is his way, added real tempo off the bench when the game broke up.
22. Blair Kinghorn – 6.5
Terrific break that led to Matthews try his most telling contribution, but threatened the wide channels as Romania’s defence tired.
23. Huw Jones – 5
Given the closing stages, replacing Harris, but didn’t get too many chances.
By Gavin Harper
